Disabled Parking Laws

[mechurchlady]

ADA​

In the USA the government pecking order is Federal > State > Municipality > Smaller Municipality such as Federal > State of California > County of Los Angeles > City of Los Angeles > Department of Water and Power. The laws of an area cannot overrule the laws of someone higher on the pecking order thus if the ADA says doorways must be a certain minimum width then no county or state can make the doorways narrower but can require them to be wider. This applies to traffic laws and disabled parking laws also.

Reciprocity​

All states and Washington, D.C. (any future mention of state in this thread includes Washington, D.C.) have a reciprocity agreement with each other as to disabled parking laws. Some states will also honor foreign disabled tags. That means that a visitor to a member of the reciprocity agreement must obey that state's laws and is entitled to equal treatment as a resident. The visitor must abide by the laws of the state they are visiting and not the laws of their home state. The visitor may have free parking at home but in the state they are visiting do not get that privilege.

Reciprocity
Oregon recognizes disabled person parking permits that are issued by other states or countries for the purpose of identifying vehicles permitted to utilize parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.

http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/disparking.shtml

Ticket and fine avoidance​

I am providing a list of Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) URLs and any known benefits or limitations on visitors. The visitor MUST find out the laws of the state they plan to visit. The visitor is reponsible for knowing not just disabled parking laws but all laws pertaining to driving in that state. Some states allow a right turn after stopping for a red light and others do not.

If you get a ticket and/or are fined then you need to check to see if you were violating the law. It could have been a meter maid who had a bad day or was not properly trained. Most if not all states do not allowed the parking of any vehicle on the white lines or crosshatched area of a disabled parking space even if you are entitled to park in the disabled parking space. Existing limitations supersede the disabled parking privileges like red zones. Disabled permit users must obey the red, yellow, and white zones

Most common disabled parking identifier is the hang tag which is also called a placard. There are also sticker and license plates. I prefer the hang tag as I can get in a friend's car or rent a car and have that hang tag ready when the car is parked.

A site that gives a list of the penalties but may not be complete or correct.
http://www.handiplate.com/Enforcement-Penalty summary.htm

A list of images of disabled plates and stickers.
http://handiplate.com/pages/statespages.htm

Gas Stations​

http://www.ada-il.org/questions/q_gas_stations.php
They are covered by the ADA and you can read that for more info. I have included state information as I find it. Note that the gas station or other person can ask for proof that the person using a disabled privilige is indeed the person on the disabled permit. "Are you the permit holder?" and you show them your permit and ID showing that you are the permit holder and thus entitled to the disabled service such as free parking, help at a gas station, or parking in a disabled space. They cannot however ask you about your disability. State and local governments may have stricter laws and more privileges that the ADA or federal laws.

Free Parking
This list might not be correct as it was from another site and last year. Free parking may have limitations such as length of time or ability to feed the meter.
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana,Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, District of Columbia

The states​

Alabama​

DMV: http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorvehicle/index.html
http://www.ador.state.al.us/motorvehicle/Registration_FAQ.html#RegFAQ21

Alaska​

DMV: http://www.alaska.gov/dmv/plates/disabil.htm
They require that the person who owns the disabled placard must be exiting or entering the vehicle that has the disabled plate or tag. The owner cannot park the car and set there while their spouse goes shopping for example.

Arizona​

DMV: http://www.alaska.gov/dmv/plates/disabil.htm
They offer a Hearing Impaired placard that has an H on it. This is solely to let emergency workers and police that the person has hearing limitations.

Arkansas​

DMV: http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/motor_vehicle/mv_plates_categories.php?category=Handicapped
Van Parking: Only vehicles that load or unload a wheelchair or other related mobility device are authorized to use parking spaces designated ‘van accessible.
http://www.spinalcord.ar.gov/Publications/FactSheets/disabledparking.html
No special privileges are given other than the disabled parking spots.

California​

DMV: http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr07.htm
Privileges:

• There is no fee for a permanent parking placard, its replacement, or for a travel placard. There is a fee for a temporary parking placard.
• One commercial vehicle with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less registered to a qualified disabled person and assigned DP plates is exempt from the weight fee.
• In parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol)
• Next to a blue curb authorized for handicap parking.
• Next to a green curb (green curbs indicate limited time parking) for as long as you wish. There is no time limit with a DP placard, DP license plates, or DV license plates.
• In an on-street metered parking space at no charge. If the meter is not on the curb but is in a parking lot then you have to pay to park.
• In an area that indicates it requires a resident or merchant permit.
• California law requires that gas stations that have an attendant are required to pump gas at the self serve price for people displaying either a disabled placard or license plate. If there is only a cashier at the station then they are not required to comply with this law. Some pumps now have a help button that can be pushed.

I love California's disabled parking laws and am so spoiled. I wish all the states were so organized. People with vision limitations or blindness are also eligible for disabled parking laws. No parking on the cross hatched area next to a disabled parking stall. If it says "No parking 3-5 pm" then the disabled person cannot park there from 3-5 pm.

Colorado
DMV: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Revenue-MV/RMV/1185870964546#handicap
The person who owns the permit must be in the vehicle that parks in a disabled spot. The site is hard to find any answers, hrmph, had to check with an Australian site to find it.

Connecticut
DMV: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/taxonomy/ct_taxonomy.asp?DLN=30289&dmvNav=|30289|
They do not allow parking on the cross hatched area or white lines. No priviliges are listed other than the ability to park in a disabled parking spot and that all fees and laws apply. Local municipalities may however give free parking or other privileges.

Delaware​

DMV: http://www.dmv.de.gov/services/vehicle_services/reg/ve_reg_handicap.shtml
Gas Stations: Any person with a handicapped permit may get assistance at a gas station. This includes out of state visitors. This is state mandated and the gas station cannot demand to know what the disability the person has. The client will receive the gas at self serve rates. Gas stations must have a call button on 50% of their self serve islands unless they only have one island then that one must have the help button. Exeption is if the gas station has only one person on duty.
http://www.deldot.gov/mfta/asst_to_disabled_motorists.shtml
Applicants must be disabled or prove that they are age 85 or more. They use the term handicapped instead of disabled.

District of Columbia​

DMV: http://dmv.washingtondc.gov/serv/plates/handicap.shtm

• Park in any parking space designated for a disabled person.
• Park for double the posted time in metered or time-restricted spaces
• Park for free at metered spaces.

Disability Rights Laws Protecting DC Residents, Visitors and Employees which is available in PDF and Microsoft Word.
http://odr.dc.gov/odr/cwp/view,a,1387,q,573863,odrNav,|33362|.asp

I am splitting the list into 3 parts so that it is not too long.​

 

[mechurchlady]

Florida​

Government: http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/disabled_pkg.html
Free Parking: 316.1964 Exemption of vehicles transporting certain persons who have disabilities from payment of parking fees and penalties.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...&Title=->2007->Ch0316->Section 1964#0316.1964

(8) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a county, municipality, or any agency thereof may charge for parking in a facility or lot that provides timed parking spaces any vehicle that displays a disabled parking permit, except that any vehicle with specialized equipment, such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, for use by a person who has a disability, or any vehicle that is displaying the Florida Toll Exemption permit, is exempt from any parking fees.

EXPLANATION: All disabled permit holders get free on-street metered parking except if the meter has a time limit then the person may park up to 4 hours there. They must still obey other laws like red zone, emergency personnel parking spaces, and tow-away zones. IF the disabled permit holder is in a vehicle that is modified with ramps, lift, hand controls, foot controls and/or has a Florida Toll Exemption permit then they cannot be charged for parking in government owned off-street timed parking spaces as well as any publicly operated airports.
Other Notes: The disabled parking permit is issued to legally blind persons. There is a seperate permit available to a disabled person who qualifies as a frequent traveler.

Georgia​

DMV: http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/index.aspx
Permits and Placards: There is the red temporary placard, the blue permanent placard and the gold special permanent placard. "Gold special permanent placards are available for persons, who because of a physical disability drive a vehicle that has been equipped with hand controls for the operation of the vehicle’s brakes and accelerator. Special permanent placards are also intended for persons who are physically disabled due to the loss of, or loss of use of both upper extremities."
Gas Stations: "Georgia law requires the owner or operator of a gasoline station that sells full-service gasoline at one price and self-service gasoline at a lower price to sell the gasoline at the lower price to the holders of a special permanent placard. The station is also required to provide someone to pump the gasoline if the operator of the vehicle is not accompanied by a person over 16 years of age or older who is not mobility impaired or blind"
http://www.etax.dor.ga.gov/pressrel/adm_Disabled_Parking_Placards_02_08_2006.pdf

Hawaii​

DMV: http://www.state.hi.us/health/dcab/parking/
Free metered parking: See §291-55 Metered parking privileges. Free metered parking for up to 2.5 hours but not to exceed any time limits such as a 20 minute zone.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0291/HRS_0291-0055.htm

§291-51.7 Reciprocity. The State, counties, and private property owners shall recognize removable windshield placards, temporary removable windshield placards, and special license plates which have been issued by authorities of other states and countries, for the purpose of identifying persons permitted to:
(1) Utilize parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities; or
(2) Exercise other parking privileges afforded by the State, counties, or private property owners for the benefit of persons with disabilities. [L 1992, c 46, pt of §2; am L 1997, c 308, §8; am L 2001, c 297, §5]

Idaho​

DMV:
Privileges: http://www.itd.idaho.gov/dmv/VehicleServices/documents/vsdisabl.pdf

• Park in any metered public parking space for free.
• Unlimited time at any zone that has a time limit except zones or areas in which the stopping, parking, or standing of all vehicles is prohibited or which are reserved for special types of vehicles; to areas where vehicular parking is prohibited for periods in excess of forty-eight (48) hours; or to areas where parking is prohibited for certain periods of time in order to allow show removal, street construction or maintenance, or for other emergency purposes.
• Gas stations that sell full and self serve must sell to disabled permit holders at the self serve rate. If there is more than one attendant then an attendant must provide service to the disabled permit holder but only if nobody in the car is able to do the gasoline pumping.

Illinois​

DMV: http://www.sos.state.il.us/services/persons_with_disabilities/home.html
Persons with a disabled permit are exempt from meter fees or time limitations
on parking, except at meters, signs or other markings with time limitations of 30 minutes or less. They have red, blue, and gold placards. Gold is for organizations like nursing homes and schools for disabled persons.
http://www.sos.state.il.us/publications/pdf_publications/vsd5744.pdf
The following is the laws as explained to law enforcement officials.
http://www.sos.state.il.us/publications/pdf_publications/vsd687.pdf

Indiana​

DMV: http://www.in.gov/bmv/3430.htm
They have placards for organizations such as nursing homes and blind persons are eligible for disabled permits. Some towns like Mishawaka will install a blue space on the curb and handicapped parking signage of residents.

Iowa​

DMV: http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ovs/disabled.htm
State Law: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/regassist/IowaCode_321L.shtml
Too easy, love this state. Read section 321L.2A Wheelchair parking cone. and I know some people in wheelchairs who might like this code for their state.

A person issued a persons with disabilities parking permit under section 321L.2 who uses a wheelchair due to a disability that renders the person permanently unable to walk may park in a persons with disabilities parking space, or a parking space not designated as a persons with disabilities parking space, and reserve up to an eight foot space adjacent to the motor vehicle for the purpose of exiting and entering the motor vehicle if all of the following conditions are met:

Kansas​

DMV: www.ksrevenue.org/dmv.htm
State Law: State law is at http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/tag_office/disabled.html
Kansas gives the disabled parking permit to persons who cannot walk more that 100 ft instead of the usual 200 ft.
"disabled persons having a valid disabled plate or placard displayed on or in the vehicle may also park at parking meters for a period of time not to exceed 24 hours and will be exempt from any parking fees of the state or any city, county or other political subdivision. (KSA 8-1,12)"

Kentucky​

DMV: http://transportation.ky.gov/mvl/
I give up on this state and the following is the state info.
http://www.fayettecountyclerk.com/fccweb/motorVehicles.jsp

Louisiana​

DMV: http://omv.dps.state.la.us/
Another hard to find info type of state. mobility impaired license plate
They include severe vision problems and blindness as a qualification for the disabled permit.
http://www.dps.state.la.us/omv/forms/mobimp.pdf

Maine​

DMV: http://maine.gov/sos/bmv/
Disabled Permit for Childbirth Law: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ros/lom/lom121st/9pub401-450/pub401-450-45.htm

A temporary placard issued pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph G is valid, after the birth of a child, for a period of not more than:
(1) One week after cesarean section delivery; or
(2) A time to be determined by the patient's physician after the birth of a preterm infant.

Maryland​

DMV: http://www.marylandmva.com/AboutMVA/DISABILITIES/default.htm
Allows vision limited and blind persons to get a disabled parking permit.

You’re exempt from paying parking meter fees in Maryland if the parking meters do not meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and can park for up to twice the maximum allowable time shown on the meter (not to exceed four hours).

Massachusetts​

DMV (RMV): http://www.mass.gov/rmv/index.htm
Disabled section: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/medical/plates_placs.htm
Blindness is a qualifier for a disabled permit.

Michigan​

DMV: http://www.michigan.gov/sos
Free Parking: Must be a licensed driver. Must be one or more of the following: lacking the ability to insert coins in a meter; unable to reach 42 inches to insert coins into a meter; cannot get to the coin slot because of a mobility device; cannot walk more than 20 feet without sitting down.
Laws: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(hv...px?page=GetMCLDocument&objectname=mcl-257-675
Blindness is a qualifier for a disabled permit.

Minnesota​

DMV: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/Disability/disability frame.htm
Everything you need to know is on that site and is in plain text and no pictures or graphics. Limitations include waliking over 200 feet is life threatening and walking over 200 feet would put the applicant at risk of falling. Open to any qualified person even if they do not drive.

• a non-restricted metered parking space without obligation to pay the meter fee and without regard to time limitations unless otherwise posted
• a non-metered time limited passenger vehicle space unless otherwise posted.(i.e. two-hour spaces etc,.)

Mississippi​

DMV: https://www.ms.gov/hp/drivers/license/Main.do
http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/27/019/0056.htm

Missouri​

DMV: http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/placards/
Unlike other states they say that you must not be able to walk 50 feet in order to be eligible without resting which is 4 times more strict than most states.

Montana​

DMV: http://data.opi.mt.gov
Law: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/49/4/49-4-301.htm

(g) has a disability resulting from an acute sensitivity to automobile emissions or from another disease or physical condition that limits or impairs the person's mobility and that is documented by the licensed physician, the licensed chiropractor, or the licensed advanced practice registered nurse as being comparable in severity to the other conditions listed in this subsection

Nebraska​

DMV: http://www.dmv.state.ne.us/dvr/permits/handicap.html
Laws: Read section 1741 on the following http://www.leg.ne.gov/laws/browse-chapters.php?chapter=18 .
Lincoln, NE handicapped parking stalls: http://lancaster.ne.gov/city/urban/parking/short/onstreet/pdf/handicap.pdf
Vision is included as a qualifier if the person cannot go over 200 feet with out assistance from a device.

Nevada​

DMV: http://www.dmvnv.com/platesdisabled.htm

Expedited Services Permit: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-426.html#NRS426Sec421

NRS 426.451 Presentation to officer or employee of state agency; duty of officer or employee to provide expedited services.

1. A person to whom an expedited service permit is issued pursuant to the provisions of NRS 426.441, or a person who is assisting him, may present the permit to any officer or employee of a state agency who is, at the time the permit is presented to him, providing any services of the agency to the public. The permit must be presented during the regular business hours of the agency.

2. Upon presentation of the permit, the officer or employee to whom the permit is presented shall, before serving any other person who is waiting to receive services, serve or otherwise accommodate the person to whom the permit is issued.

Service dogs and red tipped cane laws: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-426.html#NRS426Sec451
Interesting how it is a misdemeanor to not stop for a service dog or a red tipped cane. Vision is a qualifier for a disabled permit.

 

[mechurchlady]

New Hampshire​

DMV: http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/
http://www.nhbvi.com/SSIL/Guide/entitlements.html
They have to be different and it is called the "New Hampshire Walking Disabled Identification Permit".
The time limit for free parking is up to the local government. "free parking in any city or town, including any state or municipal parking facility where a fee is charged."
www.nh.gov/disability/documents/und...ire+disabled+parking&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us

If the plate or permit is in your name, and you are staying inside the vehicle (meaning you are not exiting the vehicle), you should not park in any of the accessible parking spaces (refer to NH RSA 265:7

New Jersey​

DMV: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/HandicappedPlates.htm
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Vehicles/HC_parking.pdf
"Any person who has lost the use of one or more limbs, or is permanently disabled and cannot move about without the aid of an assisting device or whose mobility is otherwise limited as certified ..."

New Mexico​

DMV: http://www.tax.state.nm.us/mvd/mvd_home.htm
http://www.gcd.state.nm.us/questions.htm
This state has no real information on disable parking permits but it is a stricter state in that they say 100 feet instead of the normal 200 feet to be eligible. Not a user friendly site.

New York​

NYS DMV: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/broch/c34.htm
NYC DMV: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/prkintro.shtml
Note: NYS is New York State and NYC is New York City. NYS has power over NYC.
Blindness, mental disabilities and neurological disorders that are disabling are qualifiers for the disabled parking permit.
New York City: If you want to park on the street in a disabled parking space then you need a special NYC permit. This does not apply to off-street parking.

The special disabled parking permit issued by the NYC Department of Transportation is valid only for curbside parking on streets in New York City, with limited exceptions. The NYC Department of Transportation includes a "General Information Brochure for Parking Permits for People with Disabilities" with each special disability parking permit they issue. This publication describes where holders of the special New York City disability parking permit are allowed to park, and where they are not allowed to park.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/permits/nyc-pppd.shtml
Must have an NYS license or NYS non-driver identification to get the disabled parking permit that allows a person to park on NYC streets.
NYS Parking Meter Waiver: The person using the parking meter waiver must be the driver, must observe the time limits of the parking meter and must not have a peron in the vehicle who can feed the meter.
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/mv6641mp-mv6642mp.pdf

North Carolina​

DMV: http://www.ncdot.org/DMV/vehicle_services/licenseplates/handicapped.html
They accept blindness and severe vision limitations as a qualifier. Any person who falls within the definition of handicapped shall be allowed to park for unlimited periods in parking zones restricted as to length of time parking is permitted. Does not apply to red zones, standing and certain other zones.

North Dakota​

DMV (NDDOT): http://www.dot.nd.gov/
I could not find anything until I used an Australian site. They call it a "Mobility Impaired Parking Permit". They only allow the standard limitations of oxygen and distance.
Information: http://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/mv/docs/faq-placards-and-parking.pdf
For caregivers and organizations there is a different form.
http://www.dot.nd.gov/forms/sfn54306.pdf

Ohio​

DMV (BMV): http://bmv.ohio.gov/
Information: The following link is for disabled persons in Ohio and covers many things.
http://www.olrs.ohio.gov/ASP/olrs_transportation.asp
Blindness is a qualifier for a disabled parking placard.
http://bmv.ohio.gov/vehicle_registration/disability_placards.htm

Oklahoma​

DMV (Department of Public Safety): http://www.dps.state.ok.us/
Vision loss is a qualification for a disability parking permit.
Office of Disability Concerns: http://www.odc.ok.gov/
They have ADA information and lots of stuff to help Oklahoma visitors and residents.

Oregon​

DMV: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/disparking.shtml
Information:

Renewable, Temporary, Temporary Duplicate (travel), Family, or Foreign Disabled Parking Permit
The renewable, temporary, temporary duplicate (travel), family or foreign disabled parking permit allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting the person with a disability to or from the parking location to:

* Park in a public parking zone that has a limit of more than 30 minutes. Park in any space reserved for disabled parking with the exception of the wheelchair user spaces.

Program Permit
The program disabled parking permit allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting the person with a disability to or from the parking location to:

* Park in a metered parking space for 3 hours or less while persons with disabilities are getting into or out of the vehicle.
* Park in a public parking zone for 3 hours or less while persons with disabilities are getting into or out of the vehicle.
* Park in any space reserved for disabled parking, except for wheelchair user spaces.

Wheelchair User Permits
The Wheelchair disabled parking permit allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting the person with a disability to or from the parking location to:

* Park in a public parking zone that has a limit of more than 30 minutes without paying the parking meter fee.*
* Park in a public parking zone that has a limit of more than 30 minutes without being charged overtime penalties.*
* Park in any space reserved for disabled parking.

Thisstate includes as a qualifier vision. Interesting that they include chronic bowel syndrome if a person cannot walk over 200 ft. Most states just say the length with not info on what qualifies. The foreign permit requires a license, passport or visa, and a permit in the person's country or a physician certificate. Some are mail in only and others you can copy the form from the internet then turn it in.

*

Pennsylvania​

*

Rhode Island​

*

South Carolina​

*

South Dakota​

*

Tennessee​

*

Texas​

*

Utah​

*

Vermont​

*

Virginia​

*

Washington​

*

West Virginia​

*

Wisconsin​

*

Wyoming​

 

[mechurchlady]

Section 1 is done. Please pm me with corrections or post them here. I tried to make this as simple and easy to understand. This guide is to help the disabled know their rights as to disabled parking permits as well as a list of the state laws for disabled persons to know what they can and cannot do. Florida and California are the main Disney sites and have very well written guides by those states.